Amid concerns over internal disunity and fear of pre-election failure, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has directed all its leaders with presidential ambitions to suspend the public expression of interest until solid party structures are built ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This directive was disclosed by a key stakeholder of the party, Malam Salihu Moh. Lukman, during a Tuesday appearance on AIT’s Jigsaw programme in Abuja.
Those rumoured to be eyeing the party’s 2027 presidential ticket include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (PDP’s 2023 candidate), former Labour Party flagbearer Peter Obi, and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Lukman made it clear that the party would not allow any aspirant to hijack its platform, stressing that ADC must be strengthened to operate independently and regulate the conduct of all its members, including elected representatives.
“What we are telling everybody in the coalition is that the structures of the party will not be handed over to aspiring candidates,” he said. “We have to build the party in a way that it can regulate everyone—aspirants and office holders alike.”
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He revealed that the unity currently seen in the opposition bloc was largely due to a consensus among leaders to withhold public declarations of ambition while foundational work is being done.
“I think that the suspension of the expression of ambition has to continue. I can see some leaders have already become hyper-reactive,” Lukman noted.
On the broader opposition agenda, Lukman, a former member of the APC’s National Working Committee, also commented on the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a political association pushing for a credible alternative to the ruling party.
He described the ADA and the choice of ADC as a strategic move by opposition leaders to give Nigerians a real political option in 2027 and guard against the emergence of a one-party state.
“A special committee was set up by the coalition, and it’s based on the determination that we are not going to leave anything unturned to ensure that by 2027, we present an option to Nigerians. We are not going to allow a situation where the country is set up for a one-party state.
“So we spread our tentacles and ensure that we go ahead and mandate the committee to put up the application. All we can say is that whatever happens, Nigerians will have an option.
“Our right as Nigerians, as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to participate in elections will be exercised beyond the confines of the APC. We are not going to allow a situation where the country is set up for a one-party state.”
The Nation
